Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Church Family,

We had a wonderful candlelight service this evening. I attached a picture from our candlelight carol sing that closed our evening.

On this Christmas Eve, I pray that you and your family and friends enjoy time together as you celebrate the birth of Christ. Christmas is always an exciting time around the Harley house, and our kids get excited about the giving of gifts. Actually, they are most excited about the receiving of gifts, but it is encouraging to see them look forward to giving each other gifts also.

Brittany and I do not do a great job of hiding gifts, and we are thankful that Jett, Mack, and Caroline do not work too hard to search for Christmas presents before Christmas Day. Mack and Caroline have passed by a big gift for each of them in our garage for a couple of weeks and have not noticed it. The gifts are haphazardly covered, but since they are not paying close attention, they miss it. The location of the gifts is obvious, but they do not see them.

In the midst of the bustle of the Christmas season along with the despair and heartache of the world, it is easy to just miss Jesus. Jesus is a gift that we don’t want to miss as His presence brings good news of great joy for all the people!

When despair surrounds us, He is our hope. In a world full of violence and conflict, He brings peace. In the craziness of life, He alone brings true joy. When we are searching for identity and meaning, His love is deeper and wider than we can fathom.

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus by Charles Wesley

Come, Thou long expected Jesus Born to set Thy people free; From our fears and sins release us, Let us find our rest in Thee. Israel's strength and consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art; Dear desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver, Born a child and yet a King,Born to reign in us forever, Now Thy gracious kingdom bring. By Thine own eternal Spirit Rule in all our hearts alone; By Thine all sufficient merit, Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

May your Christmas Eve and Christmas Day be filled with the hope, peace, joy, and love of Christ!

jay

Christmas Eve at Kessler Park Baptist Church 2023.